Internal-combustion engine



Aug. l, 1944. J. B. PUTNAM INTERNAL GOMBUSTION ENGINE yFiled July 5, 1945 `2 sheets-sheet 1 Inventor 7a/mes B.

Adg.1,1944. J. B. UTNAM v Y 2,355,011

Y INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed July 5, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 2 (4 ,J2/aes B.

Patented Aug. 1, 1944 INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE James Boyd Putnam, El Campo, Tex.

Application July 5, 1943, Serial No. 493,591

(Cl. 'Z4-50) 2 Claims.

This invention relates to new and -useful improvements in internal combustion engines and more particularly to the rectilinear opposed piston type.

The principal objectof the present invention is to provide an internal combustion engineof the opposed piston type wherein connecting rods are eliminated and substituted for by a cam and roller arrangement. Y

Other objects and advantages of the invention reside in certain points of adjustability and means for limiting wear on the several parts.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a top plan view of the engine.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary detailed sectional View showing adjustment means between the pistons and yokes.

Figure 4 is a. top plan view of yokes.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Fi-gure 6 is an end elevational view of the cam shaft.

Referring .to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts, it can be seen that numeral 5 denotes a cam housing from which project cylinder yblocks 6, 6 on'each of which is a cylinder head l, equipped with the necessary spark plugs 8.

Numeral 9 denotes valves for the engine for controlling the fuel intake and scavenging operathe pistons and III tions but these form no part of the present invention.

The cylinders in the blocks 6 are arranged in opposed pairs and for each opposed pair there is an operating unit which is clearly shown in Figure 4 and which consists of a pair of pistons I0', IIJ connected by a spider II, this spider II consists of a pair of yokes I2, I2 connected at their upper and lower ends by bridge pieces a. The intermediate portions of the side members of the yokes I2 have enlargements I3 apertured to receive bolts I4. As shown in Figure 3, each piston I0 has a laterally disposed boss I5 apertured to receive the corresponding bolt I4 and each -bolt I4 is equipped with a nut I6. Shims I'I may be placed between the boss I5 and the enlargement I3 of the corresponding yoke in order to compensate for wear between certain parts which will now be disclosed.

Numeral I8 denotes a shaft having a plurality of circumferentially grooved cams I9 thereon. The pistons ID are equipped with bearing units 20, each havin-g an outside race ring 2| which is ridable in the groove of the corresponding cam I9. The cams are arranged on the shaft in the ring order clearly shown in Figure 1 and further exemplified in Figure 6. The pistons will be prevented from any tendency to rotate by the fact that the rings 2l ride in the grooves of the cams I9. Any wear between the rings 2I and the cams I9 can be easily taken up by the addition of shims I'I.

While the foregoing specication sets forth the invention in specic terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, Siae and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. In an internal combustion engine, a housin having a pair of opposed cylinders projecting from cylinders and having bosses projecting from opposite sides of the inner ends thereof, a spider rigidly connecting the adjacent ends of said pistons and embodying rigidly connected yokes having spaced side members extending transversely of the pistons at opposite sides of the latter and directly inwardly of said bosses, said side members merging at their upper and lower ends, and bridge pieces connecting adjacent merged ends of the yokes, said side members having intermediate enlargements, bolts passing'through said bosses and said enlargements to rigidly connect the pistons to the spider, a shaft extending through the housing centrally between the cylinders, a circular cam eccentrically secured on said shaft, and rotatable within the spider, and roller elements mounted in the inner ends of the pistons and engaging the periphery of said cam.

2. In an internal combustion engine, a housing having a pair of opposed cylinders projecting from. opposite sides thereof, pistons reciprocable in said cylinders and having `bosses projecting from opposite sides of the inner ends thereof, a spider rigidly connecting the adjacent ends of said pistons and embodying rigidly connected yokes having spaced side members extending transversely of the pistons at opposite sides of the latter and directly inwardly of said bosses, said side members merging at their upper and lower ends, and bridge pieces connecting adjacent merged ends of the yokes, said side members having intermediate enlargements, bolts passing through said bosses and said enlargements to rigidly connect the pistons to the spider, a shaft extending through the housing centrally between the cylinders, a circular cam eccentrically secured 5 o'f the cam.

on said shaft, and rotatable Within the spider, and roller elements mounted in the inner ends JAMES B. PUTNAM. 

